CHELSEA open their season beset by a striker crisis with three of their goalscorers sidelined for Sunday’s game at Stoke.

Fernando Torres , Daniel Sturridge and new signing Romelu Lukaku are all out of the Britannia Stadium clash.

Torres, who suffered concussion playing for Spain on Wednesday night, is certain to miss the game as players are not allowed to take to the field for at least a week after suffering such an injury.

Sturridge serves the first of a three-match ban after he was red-carded in his final game on loan with Owen Coyle’s Bolton.

Lukaku is not expected to be ready for Premier League football.

Asked before the international break if he had decided on a starting XI for Stoke, Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas said: "I think I’ve been making those decisions all along.

“I think of the impact of this international week, and the surprises that may happen in terms of injuries, though hopefully not. This can all have an influence on the first team.

“These players have been through a very good pre-season, and the signals are good. And hopefully with the three days that we have [after the internationals], and the extra day because we play on Sunday, can help us make the right decisions to pick a good starting XI to win the game."